Description: The uncanny valley is a concept in robotics and artificial intelligence that describes the discomfort or strange feeling people experience when encountering humanoid robots that resemble humans but are not entirely realistic. This phenomenon originates from human perception, where individuals tend to feel empathy and connection with entities that look like them; however, when these entities approach human likeness without being fully realistic, the emotional response can turn negative. This unease arises because the almost-human traits of robots can evoke feelings of eeriness or repulsion, leading to a decrease in social acceptance of these artificial beings. The uncanny valley has become an important study topic in the design of robots and digital avatars, as developers seek to create machines that are human-like enough to be accepted without falling into this discomfort trap. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for creating technologies that interact with humans, as design that avoids the uncanny valley can facilitate better interaction and acceptance of robots in everyday life.
History: The term ‘uncanny valley’ was coined by Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori in 1970. Mori observed that as robots became more human-like in appearance, people’s emotional responses towards them became more positive until they reached a point where the similarity became unsettling. This concept has been the subject of study in various disciplines, including psychology, robotics, and interface design. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to explore how the physical and behavioral characteristics of robots affect human perception.
Uses: The uncanny valley is primarily used in the design of robots and digital avatars, where developers seek to avoid having their creations fall into this discomfort trap. In the entertainment industry, for example, it is applied in the creation of animated characters and video games, where a balance between realism and acceptance is sought. It is also considered in social robotics, where robots interact with humans in various settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes, where emotional acceptance is crucial.
Examples: A notable example of the uncanny valley can be observed in the movie ‘The Polar Express,’ where the animated characters, although well-designed, generated a sense of unease in some viewers due to their almost-human appearance. Another case is that of humanoid robots like Sophia, which, despite their advanced technology, can provoke mixed reactions from the public due to their appearance and behavior that approach human likeness but do not fully achieve it.
